Paicines, CA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Paicines. Find the best campgrounds near Paicines, CA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
"Took us about 15 min to drive to where we camped. There is no water or bathrooms so bring a jug from Lowe’s with a spicket!"
"Easy overnight BLM spot, we stayed overnight on the way to San Jose - easy to navigate, find & park.
Close by amenities gas stations, mcdonald’s & freeway about 10 mins out"
"This is a trail camp in the Ventana Wilderness along the Carmel River Trail. The trailhead and parking lot is at the Los Padres Dam. "
"It’s a ~2.8 mile hike in, but it is worth every step. Almost every hill top has a campsite, there is so many opportunities for stays."
"* 11.1 miles from trail head to the summit
- 5,600 ft. in elevation gain
- Took 7.5 hours total (4.5 hours moving time)
- Limited water on trail. "
LegendThis is a trail camp in the Ventana Wilderness along the Carmel River Trail. The trailhead and parking lot is at the Los Padres Dam. The trail is pretty easy to follow, but crosses the river/creek extremely frequently. I had to cross the river about 50 times in a weekend in an out & back trip.
This is backcountry backpacking, so:
So potable water - bring a filter
Pack in pack out trash
Fires may be restricted
No restrooms or other facilities
Lots of poison oak
Trail may be impassable at some points
I got in Friday afternoon so could only hike a few miles before dark. The Bluff camp was the first real trail camp along the trail, but there are several more further on
Here is the trail info:
http://www.ventanawild.org/trails/ventana-wilderness-trails/carmel-river-trail
Here is an interactive Map: http://bigsurtrailmap.net/interactivemap.html?latlon=36.0898,-121.5651&zoom=11&bkgmap=USGS+Quad+%2BWilderness&mode=trailmap&control=0
ScoutPrivate property, you can't even go through the road
LegendThis was one of the most beautiful backpacking hikes I've ever done, but also one of the more challenging ones to do in one day.
Camping at the top was spectacular. The sunset was one of the best I have ever seen. There is an old outpost at the top that someone else was sleeping at to provide shelter for the wind (it was pretty vicious). The hike down was much, much easier.
Obviously this is back country camping, so
TravelerTook us about 15 min to drive to where we camped. There is no water or bathrooms so bring a jug from Lowe’s with a spicket!
GuideEasy overnight BLM spot, we stayed overnight on the way to San Jose - easy to navigate, find & park.
Close by amenities gas stations, mcdonald’s & freeway about 10 mins out
GuideAs a solo camper didn’t look safe with the people that were there hanging around, it didn’t even look like there was that many places to camp. Look dirty too and people shooting in the area leaving trash. I didn’t even stay I ended up in walmart parking lot for night cause it was the only closest thing around. Maybe looks pretty when things are green but everything was dead
TravelerFirst, knowing nothing about this area of CA I looked for a spot to set up for a few to dry out, we'd just dropped out of Shasta Mt b4 heavy winter storms. Arrived late afternoon to set up. Problem is the ground is covered, literally, with all the casings, glass, human trash everywhere 😮💨 🙏 please, always pack out a bit more than you've created in an area. These pics are the cleanest spot I could find. 😪
GuideI couldn’t really identify this place as a campground. It is a shooting range. If you’re in to target practice you’d give it a five. It’s fairly desolate, a port-a-potty, (bring your own TP) and sparse camping spots. One picnic table sat in a day use area, and that gravel parking area is where we set up. It was perfectly flat and level. We didn’t even unhook the trailer. Pack it in and out as there are no services at all other than the potty. The three mile road in from I-5 is paved half way and well-graded dirt the rest. After the shooting stopped, about 8:30 PM, it was amazingly quiet. For us, needing only a stop-over, it was perfect.
GuideGun range, lots of people shooting. Wouldn't be my first choice. Easy overnight spot.
Dispersed camping near Paicines, California, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, it's an ideal choice for adventurous spirits.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Paicines, CA is Tumey Hills Box Canyon with a 3.6-star rating from 10 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Paicines, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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